Plans progress for Bathers Beach enclosed swimming area

The City of Fremantle will progress its plan to install a protected swimming area at Bathers Beach, with Council reaffirming the centrally-located beach as its preferred option at a meeting on Wednesday night.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said it wasn't about choosing the busiest or most shark-prone beach, it was about creating a safe place at a currently underutilised beach.

"There are a number of reasons why we see Bathers Beach as a real opportunity.

"One of the things that's really clear about enclosed swimming areas is that they attract a lot more people.

"So, you're not catering to the existing beach population, you're catering to the population of people who currently do not go to the beach and swim," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

Council also received the results of a community engagement survey in which 159 submissions were made.

Parking was identified in the survey as a potential challenge, however Mayor Fitzhardinge welcomed the recent opening of the nearby TAFE carpark to the public on weekends, which will mitigate some of the perceived problems.

Bathers Beach is also a 750m walk from the Fremantle Train Station and bus interchange.

City officers will seek the maximum funding available from the state government and submit a proposal for residual costs in the City’s 2024-25 budget.

The City will also seek to formalise an offer from nearby business owners to contribute to the annual maintenance costs of the barrier, and potentially the cost of improving bathroom facilities near the beach.

Officers will also seek budget approval for further investigation of an enclosed swimming area in the river at Harvey Beach, North Fremantle, which has attracted strong community support.